Peripheral device of gaming machine, server, and game system

ABSTRACT

A peripheral device of a gaming machine includes an imaging unit, a memory, and a processor. The imaging unit images a human face and generates an imaging signal. The memory stores therein a reference distance data item relating to a distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object. The processor operates to measure the distance to generate a distance data item, and to correct the imaging signal generated by the imaging unit, based on a measured distance data item thus generated at a time of generation of the imaging signal and the reference distance data item stored in the memory.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-247249, filed on Sep. 12, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a peripheral device of a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, a pachi-slot gaming machine and the like, to a server connected to the peripheral device, and also to a game system including the peripheral device and the server.

2. Description of Related Art

A game medium lending device is provided in relation to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, a pachi-slot gaming machine, a slot machine and the like. Upon receiving a lending command, the game medium lending device lends a game medium, such as a gaming ball, a coin and the like, based on a credit. More specifically, the game medium lending device discharges a game medium from the game medium lending device, or commands a gaming machine to discharge a game medium. For example, when cash is inserted into the game medium lending device, an amount equivalent to the cash is stored as a credit in the game medium lending device. Instead of cash, there may be used a card such as a prepaid card, a member card and the like in which a credit reserved by previous insertion of cash is stored. When the card is inserted, the game medium lending device reads out the credit from the card and lends a game medium based on the credit. At this time, the game medium lending device communicates with a management server of a game arcade and performs an authentication.

In a case where a card is used in reservation and/or readout of a credit as described above, someone may take a card out of a game medium lending device for evil practice while a user is temporarily leaving the game medium lending device for some reason. Since a device that supports a card use includes a card conveyor, a card reader and the like, a malfunction such as a card jam, a readout error and the like is likely to occur.

In a game arcade, a casino, or the like, there are devices, such as the game medium lending device, that handle cash and/or a game medium of the same value as cash. Some of the devices adopt a fingerprint authentication system for authenticating an operator such as a staff (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-61124, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-126177, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-8131). The fingerprint authentication system is easy to adopt because a fingerprint authentication mechanism such as an imaging mechanism is relatively small, but it involves a problem that an authentication is undesirably given even when a true operator is forced to image his/her fingerprint by someone. Considering the above, it is preferable to adopt a face authentication system (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-287621 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-234765). A face authentication system gives recognition of being imaged, not only to an authenticatee but also to people surrounding the authenticatee.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a fingerprint authentication, there is little environmental influence on accuracy of an imaged picture because an imaging object is relatively small. In a face authentication, however, there is great environmental influence on accuracy of an imaged picture because an imaging object is relatively large.

In a game arcade, effect illumination using a cocktail light and the like is performed, and many players are moving to find preferable machines. In addition, influence of an outdoor light differs depending on a distance from an entrance/exit. Thus, the surrounding environment rapidly changes. Therefore, a good face image may not be obtained in a game arcade. Moreover, a posture of an imaged person, for example, a player, largely affects accuracy of a face image. For example, if an imaged person sits on a chair with a small backrest, sits leaning forward, or sits leaning back, a good face image can not be obtained. Like this, it is not easy to obtain a good face image in a game arcade. This may cause an improper situation that a player is not authenticated though he/she is actually an authenticatable person. If a threshold value for authentication is lowered for the purpose of avoiding such an improper situation, it becomes more likely that an actually unauthenticatable person is authenticated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a peripheral device of a gaming machine, a server, and a game system that realize a highly accurate face authentication.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a peripheral device of a gaming machine, which comprises an imaging unit, a memory, and a processor. The imaging unit images a human face and generates an imaging signal. The memory stores therein a reference distance data item relating to a distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object. The processor operates to measure the distance to generate a distance data item, and to correct the imaging signal generated by the imaging unit, based on a measured distance data item thus generated at a time of generation of the imaging signal and the reference distance data item stored in the memory.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server connected to a peripheral device of a gaming machine. The peripheral device has an imaging unit, a first memory, and a first processor. The imaging unit images a human face and generates an imaging signal. The first memory stores therein a reference distance data item relating to a distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object. The first processor operates to measure the distance to generate a distance data item, and to correct the imaging signal generated by the imaging unit, based on a measured distance data item thus generated at a time of generation of the imaging signal and the reference distance data item stored in the first memory. The server comprises a second processor and a second memory. The second processor operates to receives, from the peripheral device, either one of an imaging signal corrected by the first processor and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal. The second memory stores therein either one of the signal and the data item received by the second processor. The second processor further operates to perform an authentication based on whether one that agrees with either one of the signal and the data item thus received is stored in the second memory or not.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server connected to either one of a gaming machine and a peripheral device of a gaming machine. The server comprises a second memory, a processor, and a first memory. The first memory stores therein a data item relating to a human face image. The processor operates to receive either one of an imaging signal generated by an imaging unit that images a human face, and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal, from either one of the gaming machine and the peripheral device, and also to receive, when either one of the signal and the data item is received, a measured distance data item relating to a measured distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object at a time of generation of the imaging signal, from either one of the gaming machine and the peripheral device. The first memory stores therein a reference distance data item relating to a distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object. The processor further operates to correct either one of the signal and the data item thus received, based on the measured distance data item and the reference distance data item stored in the first memory, and to perform an authentication based on whether one that agrees with either one of the signal and the data item thus corrected is stored in the second memory or not.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game system comprising a peripheral device of a gaming machine and a server connected to the peripheral device. The peripheral device has an imaging unit, a first memory, and a first processor. The imaging unit images a human face and generates an imaging signal. The first memory stores therein a reference distance data item relating to a distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object. The first processor operates to measure the distance to generate a distance data item, and to correct the imaging signal generated by the imaging unit, based on a measured distance data item thus generated at a time of generation of the imaging signal and the reference distance data item stored in the first memory. The server has a second processor and a second memory. The second processor operates to receives, from the peripheral device, either one of an imaging signal corrected by the first processor and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal. The second memory stores therein either one of the signal and the data item received by the second processor. The second processor further operates to perform an authentication based on whether one that agrees with either one of the signal and the data item thus received is stored in the second memory or not.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game system comprising a peripheral device of a gaming machine and a server connected to the peripheral device. The server has a second memory, a processor, and a first memory. The first memory stores therein a data item relating to a human face image. The processor operates to receive either one of an imaging signal generated by an imaging unit that images a human face, and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal, from either one of the gaming machine and the peripheral device, and also to receive, when either one of the signal and the data item is received, a measured distance data item relating to a measured distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object at a time of generation of the imaging signal, from either one of the gaming machine and the peripheral device. The first memory stores therein a reference distance data item relating to a distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object. The processor further operates to correct either one of the signal and the data item thus received, based on the measured distance data item and the reference distance data item stored in the first memory, and to perform an authentication based on whether one that agrees with either one of the signal and the data item thus corrected is stored in the second memory or not.

In the first to fifth aspects, an imaging signal is corrected based on the reference distance data item and the measured distance data item relating to the measured distance from the imaging unit to the imaging object at a time when an imaging is performed. By this correction, there is obtained an imaging signal that is substantially the same as an imaging signal obtained when the imaging unit performs an imaging at a reference distance, which corresponds to the reference distance data item, from the imaging object. This realizes a highly accurate face authentication even in a place where the surrounding environment rapidly changes, such as a game arcade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a game medium lending device;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical construction of the game medium lending device;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical construction of a server;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a construction of a face image data base;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical construction of a credit refund device;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing executed by the game medium lending device;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a credit reservation processing executed by the game medium lending device;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a correction processing;

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a relationship between a difference and a correction value;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a credit readout processing executed by the game medium lending device;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a credit reservation processing executed by the server;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a credit readout processing executed by the server;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing that is executed by the game medium lending device when a notification of unusability is received from the server;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing that is executed by the credit refund device in refunding a credit;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing that is executed by the server in refunding a credit; and

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an arrangement processing for a face image data base that is executed by the server; and

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a modification of the credit reservation processing executed by the server.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, a certain preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A game system 1 according to this embodiment is adopted in one game arcade, and includes gaming machines 2 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1), game medium lending devices 3 provided beside the respective gaming machines 2, a unit controller 4, a management server 5, a database 6, a credit refund device 7, and a pager base station 8. In the game arcade, many game units each made up of a pair of the gaming machine 2 and the game medium lending device 3 are disposed. The game medium lending device 3 and the credit refund device 7 are peripheral devices of the gaming machine 2.

Hereinafter, a description will be given on an assumption that the gaming machine 2 is a pachinko gaming machine. A game medium lending device 3 is disposed on a right side of a corresponding gaming machine 2 when seen from a user side of the gaming machine 2. Upon receiving a command to lend out a gaming ball, the game medium lending device 3 lends out a gaming ball based on a credit stored therein.

The unit controller 4, which is shared among game units placed in the game arcade, relays communication between the server 5 and the respective game units. The respective game units may directly communicate with the server 5 without interposition of the unit controller 4.

The server 5 manages information regarding the game medium lending devices 3 and the gaming machines 2 placed in the game arcade, and the like. In addition, the server 5 makes a check in a face authentication. The database 6 is connected to the server 5. The database 6 is made up of a hard disk for example, and includes a face image database Ca and a game medium lending device database 6 b. The server 5 may be placed either inside or outside the game arcade. It may be possible that the server 5 is provided not only for one game arcade but also several game arcades in common.

Upon receiving a command to refund a credit, the credit refund device 7 refunds cash that is equivalent to a credit stored in the server 5. The credit refund device 7 is placed in the game arcade, and more specifically in a premium exchange section or near an entrance/exit of the game arcade for example.

The pager base station 8 is a base station that communicates with a pager (not shown) carried by a staff of the game arcade. The pager base station 8 is placed in the game arcade.

A game arcade network 9 is used for communication between the server 5, which is placed outside the game arcade such as in a control room, and the gaming machines 2, the game medium lending devices 3, the unit controller 4, the credit refund device 7, and the pager base station 8 which is placed inside the game arcade. The communication may be done through a special line instead of the game arcade network 9.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the game medium lending device 3. The game medium lending device 3 has, on its front face, a warning lamp 11, three state indicator LEDs 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c, a bill insertion slot 13, a coin insertion slot 14, a remote control communication window 15, a display LCD 16, a ten-key pad 17, a coin return opening 18, a CCD camera window 19, and an infrared sensor window 191. These components are visible to a user.

The warning lamp 11 issues a warning by lighting and flashing, when a malfunction, such as an error in a face authentication which will be described later, occurs in the game medium lending device 3.

Each of the state indicator LEDs 12 a to 12 c lights and/or flashes. A state of the game medium lending device 3 or the gaming machine 2 corresponding to the game medium lending device 3 is indicated by means of a combination of lighting and/or flashing of the respective state indicator LEDs 12 a to 12 c. The state indicator LEDs 12 a to 12 c indicate, for example, a face imaging wait state, a data readout state, and the like.

A bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 13. A coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 14. When an improper coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 14, the improper coin is discharged from the coin return opening 18. An acceptable denomination may be limited to a bill. In such a case, the coin insertion slot 14 and the coin return opening 18 are omitted.

The remote control communication window 15 captures a remote control signal by infrared light or the like which is transmitted from a remote control transmitter (not shown) carried by a staff. The remote control transmitter transmits a command to the game medium lending device 3.

The display LCD 16 displays thereon information received from the server 5 or generated by the game medium lending device 3, and the like. The display LCD 16 and the ten-key pad 17 form a control panel that is operated by a user.

A CCD camera 29 (see FIG. 3) that performs an imaging through the CCD camera window 19 for a face authentication is provided behind the CCD camera window 19. The window 19 may be formed of a transparent flat plate or a hemispherical plate. Here, the window 19 may swing integrally with the CCD camera 29, as will be described later.

An infrared sensor 291 is provided behind the infrared sensor window 191. The window 191 is formed by a transparent flat plate for example, and preferably does not shield irradiated infrared lights and reflected infrared lights. It may be possible to omit the window 191 in order to prevent shielding against the irradiated and reflected infrared lights.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical construction of the game medium lending device 3. The game medium lending device 3 includes a controller 20, a communicator 21, a remote control receiver 22, a bill processor 23, a coin processor 24, a warning lamp driver 25, an LED driver 26, a display LCD driver 27, a ten-key interface 28, a CCD camera 29, and an infrared sensor 291.

The controller 20 commands a general control over the game medium lending device 3, and includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The controller 20 controls the respective parts of the game medium lending device 3 so as to make the game medium lending device 3 execute processings shown by flowcharts of FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 11, and 14 which will be described later. The controller 20 stores therein data necessary for a control, including a credit.

The controller 20 corrects a right imaging signal and a left imaging signal in a later-described manner, and then converts the right imaging signal and the left imaging signal into right-side face image data and left-side face image data, respectively. The right imaging signal is transmitted from the CCD camera 29 of the game medium lending device 3. The left imaging signal is transmitted from a CCD camera 29 of a game medium lending device 3 corresponding to a gaming machine 2 that is, when seen from a user side, left adjacent to the aforesaid gaming machine 2 corresponding to the aforesaid game medium lending device 3. Hereinafter, the game medium lending device 3 corresponding to the gaming machine 2 left adjacent to the aforesaid gaming machine 2 will be referred to as a “left-side game medium lending device”, and the CCD camera 29 of the left-side game medium lending device 3 will be referred to as a “left-side CCD camera”. Also, the right-side face image data and the left-side face image data will sometimes be generally referred to as “face image data”. The right imaging signal and the left imaging signal are signals after an analog-digital conversion.

Thus, in this embodiment, a pair of left and right face image data is used for a face authentication. In a case where there is no game medium lending device 3 on a left side of the gaming machine 2 corresponding to the game medium lending device 3 when seen from a user of the gaming machine 2, for example, a thin-type imaging-purpose device having only an imaging function is placed instead of the game medium lending device 3. The game medium lending device 3 communicates through the unit controller with the left-side game medium lending device 3 or the imaging-purpose device.

The controller 20 stores therein a pair of reference data 20 aL and 20 aR. The reference data 20 aL and 20 aR are set by a staff of a maker or a game arcade at a time when, for example, the left-side game medium lending device 3 and the game medium lending device 3 are placed. Thereafter, the reference data 20 aL and 20 aR are maintained. For example, a staff sits on a chair that is provided in front of the gaming machine 2 corresponding to the game medium lending device 3, and an imaging is performed by the left-side CCD camera 29 and the CCD camera 29 using a portable lighting device under a predetermined lighting condition irrespective of a location of the gaming machine 2. Then, the left-side CCD camera 29 and the CCD camera 29 generate a left imaging signal and a right imaging signal, respectively. Data corresponding to a predetermined area, which is designated by the staff, of an image based on the left imaging signal and the right imaging signal are set as the reference data 20 aL and 20 aR. For example, in a case where the image based on the left and right imaging signals pictures therein a machine number provided at an upper part of a gamine machine 2 that is disposed in opposition to the game medium lending device 3 and the left-side game medium lending device 3, data corresponding to an area of the image containing the machine number are set as the reference data 20 aL and 20 aR.

For setting the reference data 20 aL and 20 aR, the game medium lending device 3 has a connector that allows communication with a terminal (not shown) having a monitor. Communication between the game medium lending device 3 and the terminal may be done through the communicator 21.

Even under the predetermined lighting condition, an image obtained may vary depending on a time range. Accordingly, it may be possible to set different reference data 20 aL and 20 aR for every time range. Alternatively, it may be possible that the controller 20 executes a statistical processing for each of the left imaging signal and the right imaging signal from the left-side CCD camera 29 and the CCD camera 29, and a left imaging signal and a right imaging signal averaged in a predetermined period of time by the statistical processing are set as the reference data 20 aL and 20 aR.

The controller 20 further stores therein a pair of reference distance data 20 bL and 20 bR that respectively indicate a distance from the left-side CCD camera 29 to an imaging object and a distance from the CCD camera 29 to an imaging object at a time when the reference data 20 aL and 20 aR were set. The reference distance data 20 bL and 20 bR are stored in association with the reference data 20 aL and 20 aR, respectively. When an imaging is performed, the controller 20 receives the imaging signal from the CCD camera 29, and in addition receives the distance data obtained by an actual measurement from the infrared sensor 291. The controller 20 corrects the imaging signal based on a difference between a measured distance and a reference distance.

Under control by the controller 20, the communicator 21 communicates with the gaming machine 2 corresponding to the game medium lending device 3, the unit controller 4, and the server 5. The game medium lending device 3 may be provided with separate communicates for communicating with the corresponding gaming machine 2 and for communicating with the unit controller 4 and the server 5.

Under control by the controller 20, the remote control receiver 22 receives a remote control signal and transmits the remote control signal to the controller 20, through the remote control communication window 15.

Under control by the controller 20, the bill processor 23 controls a bill conveyor, a bill recognizer, a bill storage (all not shown), and the like. The bill processor 23 thereby validates a bill and determines a denomination, and transmits information about the bill to the controller 20. When the bill processor 23 determines that a bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 13 is a false bill, the bill processor 23 makes the bill discharged from the bill insertion slot 13.

Under control by the controller 20, the coin processor 24 controls a coin conveyor, a coin recognizer, a coin storage (all not shown), and the like. The coin processor 24 thereby validates a coin and determines a denomination, and transmits information about the coin to the controller 20. When the coin processor 24 determines that a coin inserted into the coin insertion slot 14 is a false coin, the coin processor 24 makes the coin discharged from the coin return opening 13. A coin usable in the game medium lending device 3 may be limited to 500 yen coins. This makes it easy to validate a coin and determine a denomination.

Under control by the controller 20, the warning lamp driver 25 drives the warning lamp 11. Under control by the controller 20, the LED driver 26 drives the state indicator LEDs 12 a to 12 c.

Under control by the controller 20, the display LCD driver 27 drives the display LCD 16. For example, a credit, a message, and other data are displayed on the display LCD 16. Under control by the controller 20, the ten-key interface 28 senses an operation made on the ten-key pad 17 by a user, and transmits to the controller 20 a signal regarding the operation.

Under control by the controller 20, the CCD camera 29 images a face of a user using the gaming machine 2 through the CCD camera window 19. The CCD camera 29 generates an imaging signal and transmits the imaging signal to the controller 20. As the CCD camera 29, a monochrome CCD camera or a color CCD camera is adopted for example. The CCD camera 29 has a swinger (not shown) that swings the CCD camera 29 left and right.

When the CCD camera 29 performs an imaging, the infrared sensor 291 irradiates an infrared light toward an imaging object, and measures an amount of light reflected. Thus, the infrared sensor 291 generates distance data indicating a distance from the CCD camera 29 to the imaging object. Then, the infrared sensor 291 transmits the distance data to the controller 20.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical construction of the server 5. The server 5 includes a controller 30, a communicator 31, and a database accessor 32.

The controller 30 commands a general control over the server 5, and includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The controller 30 controls the respective parts of the server 5 so as to make the server 5 execute processings shown by flowcharts of FIGS. 12, 13, 16, and 17 which will be described later. The controller 30 stores therein data necessary for a control.

Under control by the controller 30, the communicator 31 communicates with the game medium lending devices 3, the gaming machines 2, the unit controller 4, the credit refund device 7, and the pager base station 8. The communicator 31 adopts a polling method in which the communicator 31 sequentially communicates with the game medium lending devices 3 and the credit refund device 7. The server 5 may have several communicators that are selectively used in accordance with the respective communicatees such as the game medium lending devices 3, the gaming machines 2, the unit controller 4, the credit refund device 7, and the pager base station 8.

Under control by the controller 30, the database accessor 32 accesses the database 6, and writes in or reads out data.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a construction of the face image data base 6 a included in the database 6. One record of the face image database 6 a includes a right-side face image data field, a left-side face image data field, a registration time data filed, a credit data field, and a history data field.

Right-side face image data are data of an image obtained by any game medium lending device 3 imaging a face of a user using a gaming machine 2 corresponding to the game medium lending device 3, or data obtained by processing the data of the image. Left-side face image data are data of an image obtained by the left-side game medium lending device 3 imaging a face of a user using the aforesaid gaming machine 2, or data obtained by processing the data of the image.

Each record of the face image database 6 a is sorted in accordance with a string of “0” and “1” from a head of the right-side face image data.

Registration time data are data regarding time and date at which the record was formed. In this embodiment, refund of a credit is allowed only within a date on which the credit is stored in the server 5, that is, only within a registration date. Whether a credit can be refunded or not is determined based on the registration time data. Alternatively, it may be possible that refund of a credit is allowed only for a predetermined period such as one month after the registration date.

Regarding history data, when data including face image data are received from any game medium lending device 3, data except the face image data are stored together with a reception time.

The game medium lending device database 6 b, a construction of which is not shown, stores therein various data for each game medium lending device 3 such as data of a credit stored inside the game medium lending device 3, data of a time at which the credit is stored in the game medium lending device 3, data about whether the gaming machine 2 corresponding to the game medium lending device 3 is now in game or not, and the like. Face image data are not stored in the game medium lending device database 6 b.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical construction of the credit refund device 7. The credit refund device 7 includes a controller 40, a communicator 41, a bill processor 42, a coin processor 43, a warning lamp driver 44, a state LED driver 45, a key interface 46, a pair of CCD cameras 47L and 47R, and infrared sensors 48L and 48R that correspond to the CCD cameras 47L and 47R, respectively.

The controller 40 commands a general control over the credit refund device 7, and includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The controller 40 controls the respective parts of the credit refund device 7 so as to make the credit refund device 7 execute processings shown by a flowchart of FIG. 15 which will be described later. The controller 40 stores therein data necessary for a control.

The controller 40 corrects a left imaging signal and a right imaging signal transmitted from the CCD cameras 47L and 47R in a later-described manner, and then converts the left imaging signal and the right imaging signal into left-side face image data and right-side face image data, respectively. The controller 40 stores therein a pair of reference data 40 aL and 40 aR, and a pair of reference distance data 40 bL and 40 bR. Like the reference data 20 aL and 20 aR, the reference data 40 aL and 40 aR are set by a staff of a maker or a game arcade at a time when, for example, the credit refund device 7 is placed. Thereafter, the reference data 40 aL and 40 aR are maintained. How to set the reference data 40 aL and 40 aR may be the same as how to set the reference data 20 aL and 20 aR. The reference distance data 40 bL and 40 bR indicate a distance from the CCD camera 47L to an imaging object and a distance from the CCD camera 47R to an imaging object, respectively, at a time when the reference data 40 aL and 40 aR were set. The reference distance data 40 bL and 40 bR are stored in association with the reference data 40 aL and 40 aR, respectively. When an imaging is performed, the controller 40 receives the imaging signals from the CCD cameras 47L and 47R, and in addition receives the distance data obtained by an actual measurement from the infrared sensors 48L and 48R. The controller 40 corrects the imaging signals based on a difference between a measured distance and a reference distance.

Under control by the controller 40, the communicator 41 communicates with the server 5. The credit refund device 7 may be outside a polling conducted by the server 5.

Under control by the controller 40, the bill processor 42 controls a bill conveyor, a bill storage (both not shown), and the like. Thereby, when bill discharge is needed in refunding a credit, an instructed number of bills of instructed kind are discharged from a bill discharge opening (not shown).

Under control by the controller 40, the coin processor 43 controls a coin conveyor, a coin storage (both not shown), and the like. Thereby, when coin discharge is needed in refunding a credit, an instructed number of coins of instructed kind are discharged from a coin discharge opening (not shown).

Under control by the controller 40, the warning lamp driver 44 drives a warning lamp (not shown).

Under control by the controller 40, the state LED driver 45 drives one or more state LEDs (not shown). By means of lighting or flashing of the state LEDs, or a combination of lighting and/or flashing of the state LEDs, a user of the credit refund device 7 is recommended to sit in an imaging position, that is, on a chair (not shown) provided in front of the credit refund device 7. The key interface 46 senses an operation made on a refund key, a staff calling key (both not shown), or the like by a user, and transmits to the controller 40 a signal regarding the operation.

Under control by the controller 40, the CCD cameras 47L and 47R image a face of a user sitting on the chair to generate an imaging signal, and transmit the imaging signal to the controller 40. A positional relationship between the chair provided in front of the credit refund device 7 and the CCD camera 47R is the same as a positional relationship between a chair provided in front of a gaming machine 2 and a CCD camera 29 of a game medium lending device 3 that corresponds to the gaming machine 2. A positional relationship between the chair provided in front of the credit refund device 7 and the CCD camera 47L is the same as a positional relationship between a chair provided in front of a gaming machine 2 and a CCD camera 29 of a game medium lending device 3 that is left adjacent to the gaming machine 2. Unlike the CCD camera 29 of the game medium lending device 3, the CCD cameras 47L and 47R of the credit refund device 7 may not include a swinger.

When the CCD cameras 47L and 47R perform imagings, the infrared sensors 48L and 48R irradiate infrared lights toward an imaging object, and measure an amount of light reflected. Thus, the infrared sensors 48L and 48R generate distance data indicating distances from the CCD cameras 47L and 47R to the imaging object. Then, the infrared sensors 48L and 48 transmit the distance data to the controller 40.

Since constructions of the gaming machine 2, the unit controller 4, and the pager base station 8 are common ones, descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Next, a processing executed by the game system 1 will be described. In this embodiment, a face authentication is used in reserving a credit, reading out a credit, and refunding a credit. Here, it should be noted that, since a face image is private information, a registration of a face image is performed only in reserving a credit and any unnecessary registration is not performed.

In the game system 1, a player firstly inserts cash into the game medium lending device 3 corresponding to the gaming machine 2, and thereby obtains a credit equivalent to an amount of the cash. Then, the player obtains gaming balls using a part or all of the credit, and plays a game in the gaming machine 2 using the gaming balls. At an end of the game, a credit left in the game medium lending device 3 which means a credit unused for lending of gaming balls is reserved in the server 5. Then, when the player plays a game in another gaming machine 2, the player commands, in a game medium lending device 3 corresponding to the gaming machine 2, a readout of the credit from the server 5. Thereby, the player obtains gaming balls using the credit previously left, and plays a game in the another gaming machine 2.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing executed by the game medium lending device 3.

The controller 20 of the game medium lending device 3 firstly determines whether lending of gaming balls has been commanded or not (S100). When a lend key provided on the game media lending device 3 or a lend key provided on the gaming machine 2 corresponding to the game media lending device 3 is operated, the controller 20 determines that lending of gaming balls has been commanded (S100: YES) and determines whether a credit stored inside is 0 or not (S104). When the credit is 0 (S104: YES), the processing is returned to S100. When the credit is not 0 (S104: NO), gaming balls are lent out (S150) and then the processing is returned to S100.

In S105, the controller 20 commands a gaming ball discharger (not shown), which is included in the gaming machine 2 corresponding to the game medium lending device 3, to discharge a predetermined number of gaming balls. The discharged gaming balls are received by a gaming ball receiver of the gaming machine 2. Then, the controller 20 reduces the credit stored inside, by one unit. The controller 20 updates a display of the credit made by the display LCD 16, and notifies the server 5 that the credit has been updated. When the server 5 receives from the game medium lending device 3 a notification that the credit has been updated, the server 5 updates a credit of the game medium lending device 3 stored in the game medium lending device database 6 b.

Data transmission from each game medium lending device 3 to the server 5 is performed at a timing when the server 5 grants, by a polling, the game medium lending device 3 a right of transmission.

When the controller 20 determines that lending of gaming balls has not been commanded (S100: NO), then the controller 20 determines whether cash has been received or not (S101). When there is a notification of cash reception from the bill processor 23 and/or coin processor 24, the controller 20 determines that cash has been received (S101: YES) and updates a credit (S106). Then, the processing is returned to S100.

In S106, the controller 20 increases a credit stored inside by an amount equivalent to the cash received. The controller 20 updates a display of the credit made by the display LCD 16, and notifies the server 5 that the credit has been updated. When the server 5 receives from the game medium lending device 3 a notification that the credit has been updated, the server 5 updates a credit of the game medium lending device 3 stored in the game medium lending device database 6 b.

When the controller 20 determines that cash has not is been received (S101: NO), then the controller 20 determines whether a reservation of a credit has been commanded or not (S102). When a credit reservation key provided on the game media lending device 3 or a credit reservation key provided on the gaming machine 2 corresponding to the game media lending device 3 is operated, the controller 20 determines that a reservation of a credit has been commanded (S102: YES) and reserves a credit (S107). Then, the processing is returned to S100.

Processing in steps S107 and S108 are not executed in a case where a user of the gaming machine 2 corresponding to the game medium lending device 3 is executing another processing such as a game.

Here, the processing executed in S107 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The controller 20 firstly determines whether a credit stored inside is 0 or not (S150). When a credit is 0 (S150: YES), the processing ends.

When a credit is not 0 (S150: NO), the controller 20 preannounces an imaging, that is, announces to a user of the corresponding gaming machine 2 that an imaging will be performed soon, by means of a combination of lighting and/or flashing of the state indicator LEDs 12 a to 12 c, and/or by means of a message on the display LCD 16 (S151). Here, the combination of lighting and/or flashing includes lighting or flashing of only one of the state indicator LEDs 12 a to 12 c, which applies to following descriptions, too. Then, the controller 20 gives a left imaging command including imaging time data, to the controller 20 of the left-side game medium lending device 3 (S152). The left imaging means that a CCD camera 29 of a game medium lending device 3 images a face of a user using a gaming machine 2 that is, when seen from a user using a gaming machine 2 corresponding to this game medium lending device 3, right adjacent to this game medium lending device 3. A right imaging, which will be described later, means that a CCD camera 29 of a game medium lending device 3 images a face of a user using a gaming machine 2 that corresponds to this game medium lending device 3.

The controller 20 of the left-side game medium lending device 3, which has received the command, sends back a signal indicating that a left imaging can be performed to the commander game medium lending device 3, in a case where the left imaging can be performed. Then, the controller 20 of the left-side game medium lending device 3 makes a control in such a manner that the left-side CCD camera 29 performs a left imaging at a time corresponding to the imaging time data. Then, the controller 20 of the left-side game medium lending device 3 transmits a left imaging signal thus generated to the commander game medium lending device 3. In case where a left imaging cannot be performed because the left-side CCD camera 29 is preparing for a right imaging or performing a right imaging for example, the controller 20 of the left-side game medium lending device 3 does not send back the signal indicating that a left imaging can be performed, and does not perform a left imaging.

During a waiting time, the CCD camera 29 is oriented in such a direction as to image a face of a user of the gaming machine 2 corresponding to the game medium lending device 3, that is, in a such a direction as to perform a right imaging.

Then, only when the signal indicating that a left imaging can be performed is received from the controller 20 of the left-side game medium lending device 3, the controller 20 commands the controller 20 of the left-side game medium lending device 3 to measure a distance by the infrared sensor 291 and also controls the infrared sensor 291 of this game medium lending device 3 so as to measure a distance (S153). When the signal indicating that a left imaging can be performed is not received from the controller 20 of the left-side game medium lending device 3, the controller 20 repeatedly gives the above-described command to the controller 20 of the left-side game medium lending device 3. After S153, the controller 20 controls the CCD camera 29 so as to perform a right imaging at a time corresponding to the imaging time data (S154). After S154, the controller 20 receives a left imaging signal and measured distance data transmitted from the controller 20 of the left-side game medium lending device 3 (S155).

Subsequently, in S156, the controller 20 corrects the right imaging signal generated by the right imaging in S154 and the left imaging signal received in S155.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a correction processing performed in S156. A correction which will be described below is performed for each of the left imaging signal and the right imaging signal. A correction of the left-imaging signal is performed based on the measured distance data received from the left-side game medium lending device 3 and the reference distance data 20 bL stored in the controller 20 of the game medium lending device 3. A correction of the right-imaging signal is performed based on the measured distance data received from the infrared sensor 291 of the game medium lending device 3 and the reference distance data 20 bR stored in the controller 20 of the game medium lending device 3.

The controller 20 firstly calculates a difference between a measured distance and the reference distance based on the measured distance data and the reference distance data 20 bL, 20 bR (S170). Then, the controller determines a correction value in accordance with the difference (S171), and corrects the imaging signal using the correction value (S172).

Here, an example of a processing performed in S171 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a graph showing a relationship between a difference and a correction value for a brightness. An axis of abscissas indicates a difference and an axis of ordinates indicates a correction value. The difference is represented by a value obtained by subtracting the measured distance from the reference distance.

In general, as a distance to an imaging object increases, an amount of light captured by the CCD camera increases and therefore a brightness of every pixel becomes higher. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 10, when the measured distance is shorter than the reference distance, a correction increasing a brightness value is made, while when the measured distance is longer than the reference distance, a correction reducing a brightness value is made. In this way, a brightness of the whole image based on the imaging signal is corrected.

Referring to FIG. 8 again, after S156, the controller 20 converts the corrected right imaging signal and the corrected left imaging signal into right-side face image data and left-side face image data, respectively, by an arbitrary method (S157). Then, the controller 20 buffers the face image data (S158).

In a case where an imaging goes wrong, and the like, an announcement of a reimaging is made through the state indicator LEDs 12 a to 12 c and/or the display LCD 16, and an imaging is performed again.

After S158, at a timing when a right of transmission is granted, the controller 20 transmits to the server 5 a command to reserve a credit together with the credit data stored inside, the face image data, and an ID of the game medium lending device 3 (S159). Then, through the state indicator LEDs 12 a to 12 c and/or the display LCD 16, the controller 20 announces that an imaging is completed (S160).

The server 5 receives the data transmitted from the game medium lending device 3 in S158, and then executes a processing shown in FIG. 12.

The controller 30 of the server 5 firstly determines whether there is a record including face image data that agree with the received face image data in the face image database 6 a, or not (S200). When there is the record in the face image database 6 a (S200: YES), the controller 30 updates the record (S201). To be more specific, the controller 30 updates credit data included in the record so as to increase an original value by an amount of the credit received. In addition, the controller 30 adds data concerning a current data reception into the history data field. When there is not a record including face image data that agree with the received face image data in the face image database 6 a (S200: NO), the controller 30 forms a new record (S202). Then, the controller 30 inserts the received face image data into a face image data field of the new record, a data reception time measured by a timer that is built in the controller 30 into a registration time data field of the new record, the received credit data into a credit data field of the new record, and data concerning the current data reception into a history data field of the new record (S203). The new record is sorted in accordance with the face image data.

Here, a procedure of determination of “agreement” will be described. A threshold may be used for determination of agreement. For example, it may be possible to determine a degree of agreement only for right-side face image data, and omit calculation of a degree of agreement for left-side face image data when the degree of agreement is equal to or greater than a first threshold, thus determining that agreement occurs. This shortens a time required for determination. Alternatively, it may be possible to calculate a degree of agreement for left-side face image data when the degree of agreement for right-side face image data is smaller than a first threshold and equal to or greater than a second threshold, and determine agreement based on an average degree of agreement for the left and right face image data. When the degree of agreement for right-side face image data is smaller than the second threshold, it may be determined that agreement does not occur.

After S201 or S203, the controller 30 updates data in the game medium lending device database 6 b (S204). Here, in the game medium lending device database 6 b, a credit corresponding to the data transmitter game medium lending device 3 is set to 0. Then, by a polling, the controller 30 transmits a notification that a reservation is completed, to the data transmitter game medium lending device 3 (S205).

Referring to FIG. 11 again, when a notification of completion is received from the server 5 (S161: YES), the controller 20 of the game medium lending machine 3 sets the credit data stored inside to 0 (S162). At this time, a display of the credit by the display LCD 16 is turned to 0. Thus, the reservation processing of S107 is completed, and the processing is returned to S100 of FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 7 again, when the controller 20 determines that a reservation of a credit has not been commanded (S102: NO), the controller 20 determines whether a readout of a credit has been commanded or not (S103). When a readout key provided on the game media lending device 3 or a readout key provided on the gaming machine 2 corresponding to the game media lending device 3 is operated, the controller 20 determines that a readout of a credit has been commanded (S103: YES) and reads out a credit (S108). Then, the processing is returned to S100.

Here, a processing executed in S108 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The same steps as the steps shown in FIG. 8 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and specific descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The controller 20 firstly executes steps S151 to S158 which are the same as shown in FIG. 8. After S158, at a timing when a right of transmission is granted, the controller 20 transmits to the server 5 a command to read out a credit together with the face image data and an ID of the game medium lending device 3 (S258). Then, through the state indicator LEDs 12 a to 12 c and/or the display LCD 16, the controller 20 announces that an imaging is completed (S160).

The server 5 receives the data transmitted from the game medium lending device 3 in S258, and then executes a processing shown in FIG. 13.

The controller 30 of the server 5 firstly determines whether there is a record including face image data that agree with the received face image data in the face image database 6 a, or not (S300). This step is the same as the step S200 described above, and a determination of agreement is also the same as described above.

When there is the record in the face image database 6 a (S300: YES), the controller 30 determines whether credit data included in the record are 0 or not (S301). When credit data are not 0 (S301: NO), the controller 30 transmits the credit data included in the record to the game medium lending device 3 (S302). Then, the controller 30 updates the record (S303). More specifically, the controller 30 sets the credit data included in the record to 0, and further adds current contents to a history data field. In addition, the controller 30 updates a credit of the game medium lending device 3 in the game medium lending device database 6 b.

When the credit data are 0 (S301: YES), the controller 30 identifies a gaming machine 2 most previously used by the user and a time of the use, based on history data. Thus, the controller 30 determines whether there is a possibility of misuse of a credit that is actually possessed by the user (S304).

For example, after playing a game in a certain gaming machine 2, a user may move to another gaming machine 2 without reserving his/her credit in the server 5 by means of a game medium lending device 3 corresponding to the certain gaming machine 2, that is, with his/her credit being left in the game medium lending device 3. In such a case, a next user who uses the certain gaming machine 2 may play a game using the credit left by the previous user. Like this, a credit actually possessed by a user may be misused. Therefore, the controller 30 determines that there is a possibility of misuse when, based on memory contents of the face image database 6 a and the game medium lending device database 6 b, a game medium lending device 3 corresponding to the most previously used gaming machine 2 did not receive cash during a period of time from the time of the use to the current readout command but nevertheless holds credit data other than 0.

When there is a possibility of misuse (S304: YES), the controller 30 transmits a notification of unusability to the most previously used gaming machine 2 (S305). Then, the controller 30 transmits credit data concerning the game medium lending device 3 corresponding to the most previously used gaming machine 2, which are stored in the game medium lending device database 6 b, to the data transmitter game medium lending device 3 (S306). Then, like in S303, the controller 30 updates the record (S307). Then, the controller 30 notifies a pager carried by a staff who covers the most previously used gaming machine 2, that there is a possibility of fraud (S308).

Here, it is preferable that the credit data transmitted in S306 and S302 contain information that enable one to be distinguished from the other.

When the credit data are 0 (S301: YES) and there is no possibility of misuse (S304: NO), the controller 30 transmits a notification that a credit is 0 to the data transmitter game medium lending device 3 (S309).

When there is not a record including face image data that agree with the received face image data in the face image database 6 a (S300: NO), the controller 30 adds 1 to the number of authentication errors in the data transmitter game medium lending device 3 (S310), and determines whether the number of authentication errors has reached an upper limit, for example 3, or not (S311). When the number has not reached an upper limit (S311: NO), the controller 30 transmits to the game medium lending device 3 a command to retransmit face image data (S312). When the number has reached an upper limit (S311: YES), the controller 30 transmits a notification of an authentication error to the game medium lending device 3 (S313).

Referring to FIG. 11 again, after S160, the controller 20 of the game medium lending device 3 determines whether credit data have been received from the server 5 or not (S260). When credit data have been received (S260: YES), the controller 20 updates a credit stored inside (S264). More specifically, the controller 20 increases a credit stored inside by an amount of credit data received, and updates a display of the credit made by the display LCD 16. Then, the controller 20 ends a readout processing of S108, and the processing is returned to S100 of FIG. 7.

Reception of credit data transmitted from the server 5 in S306 and reception of credit data transmitted from the server 5 in S302 may be distinguished from each other by a combination of lighting and/or flashing of the state indicator LEDs 12 a to 12 c.

When credit data have not been received (S260: NO), the controller 20 determines whether a notification that a credit is 0 is received from the server 5 or not (S261). When the notification has been received (S261: YES), the controller 20 announces that a credit is 0 by means of the display LCD 16 and/or the state indicator LEDs 12 a to 12 c (S265). Then, the controller 20 ends a readout processing of S108, and the processing is returned to S100 of FIG. 7.

When the notification that a credit is 0 has not been received (S261: NO), the controller 20 determines whether a command of retransmission has been received from the server 5 or not (S262). When the command is received (S262: YES), the controller 20 returns the processing to S151.

When the command of retransmission is not received (S262: NO), the controller 20 determines whether a notification of an authentication error has been received from the server 5, or not (S263). When the notification has been received (S263: YES), the controller 20 announces an authentication error by means of the display LCD 16 and/or the state indicator LEDs 12 a to 12 c (S266). Then, the controller 20 ends a readout processing of S108, and the processing is returned to S100 of FIG. 7. When the notification has not been received (S263: NO), the controller 20 returns the processing to S260.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing that is executed by the game medium lending device 3 when a notification of unusability is received from the server 5 (see S305 of FIG. 13).

Upon receiving a notification of unusability from the server 5, the controller 20 of the game medium lending device 3 forcibly sets a credit stored inside to 0 (S350). At this time, a display of the credit by the display LCD 16 is turned to 0. The controller 20 issues a warning by lighting or flashing the warning lamp 11, or using a buzzer (S351).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing that is executed by the credit refund device 7 when a credit is refunded. A credit reserved in the server 5 is refunded in the form of cash. No particular limitation may be put on when to refund the credit. However, in this embodiment, a date of refund of the credit is limited to a date on which the credit is stored in the server 5, that is, limited to a registration date.

The controller 40 of the credit refund device 7 awaits an operation of the refund key or the staff calling key. When the refund key is operated, the controller 40 executes a processing shown in FIG. 15. A user sits on a chair provided in front of the credit refund device 7, and operates the refund key or the staff calling key. A description of a processing that is executed when the staff calling key is operated will be omitted.

When the refund key is operated, the controller 40 firstly preannounces an imaging, that is, announces to a user of the credit refund device 7 that an imaging will be performed soon, by means of a combination of lighting and/or flashing of the state indicator LEDs (not shown), and/or by means of a message on a display LCD in a case where the credit refund device 7 includes a display LCD (S400). Then, the controller 40 makes a control so as to make the infrared sensors 48L and 48R measure a distance (S401).

After S401, the controller 40 makes a control in such a manner that the CCD cameras 47L and 47R perform an imaging at a predetermined time (S402).

Then, the controller 40 corrects a left imaging signal generated by the CCD camera 47L and a right imaging signal generated by the CCD camera 47R, based on the measured distance data received from the infrared sensors 48L and 48R and the reference distance data 40 bL and 40 bR stored in the controller 40 itself (S403). Since a processing performed in S403 is the same as the correction processing performed in S156 described above with reference to FIG. 9, a detailed description thereof is omitted here. After S403, the controller 40 converts the corrected right imaging signal and the corrected left imaging signal into face image data, respectively (S404). Then, the controller 40 buffers the face image data (S404).

After S405, at a timing when a right of transmission is granted, the controller 40 transmits to the server 5 a command to refund a credit together with the face image data and an ID of the credit refund device 7 (S406). Then, through the state indicator LEDs and/or the display LCD, the controller 40 announces that an imaging is completed (S407).

The server 5 receives the data transmitted from the credit refund device 7 in S406, and then executes a processing shown in FIG. 16.

The controller 30 of the server 5 firstly determines whether there is a record including face image data that agree with the received face image data in the face image database 6 a, or not (S450).

When there is the record in the face image database 6 a (S450: YES), the controller 30 determines whether credit data included in the record are 0 or not (S451). When the credit data are not 0 (S451: NO), the controller 30 refers registration time data for this record, to determine whether a registration date is today or not (S452). When a registration date is today (S452: YES), the controller 30 transmits to the credit refund device 7 a notification of refundability together with the credit data in this record (S453). Then, upon receiving a notification that a refund is completed from the credit refund device 7 (S454: YES), the record is deleted (S455) and the processing shown in FIG. 16 ends.

When the credit data are 0 (S451: YES), the controller 30 transmits a notification that a credit is 0 to the credit refund device 7 ($456).

When the credit data are not 0 (S451: NO) and in addition a registration date is not today (S452: NO), the controller 30 transmits a notification of nonrefundability to the credit refund device 7 (S457). The notification of nonrefundability notifies that although a credit is not 0 a refund of the credit is unpermitted because its registration date is not today.

When there is not a record including face image data that agree with the received face image data in the face image database 6 a (S450: NO), the controller 30 transmits a notification of an authentication error to the credit refund device 7 (S458).

Referring to FIG. 15 again, after S407, the controller 40 of the credit refund device 7 determines whether a notification of refundability has been received from the server 5 or not (S408). When a notification of refundability has been received (S408: YES), the controller 40 controls the bill processor 42 and/or coin processor 43 so as to discharge cash an amount of which corresponds to the credit data received together with the notification (S412). Then, the controller 40 transmits a notification that a refund is completed to the server 5 (S413), and ends the processing shown in FIG. 15.

When a notification of refundability has not been received (S408: NO), the controller 40 determines whether a notification that a credit is 0 has been received from the server 5 or not (S409). When a notification that a credit is 0 has been received (S409: YES), the controller 40 announces that a credit is 0 by means of a not-shown display LCD and/or not-shown state indicator LEDs (S414). Then, the controller 40 ends the processing shown in FIG. 15.

When a notification that a credit is 0 has not been received (S409: NO), the controller 40 determines whether a notification of nonrefundability has been received from the server 5 or not (S410). When a notification of nonrefundability has been received (S410: YES), the controller 40 announces, for a predetermined period of time such as approximately 5 seconds, that a refund of a credit is permitted only on a registration date by means of a not-shown display LCD and/or not-shown state indicator LEDs (S415). Then, the controller 40 ends the processing shown in FIG. 15.

When a notification of nonrefundability has not been received (S410: NO), the controller 40 determines whether a notification of an authentication error has been received from the server 5 or not (S411). When a notification of an authentication error has been received (S411: YES), the controller 40 announces an authentication error for a predetermined period of time such as approximately 5 seconds by means of the not-shown display LCD and/or the not-shown state indicator LEDs (S416). Then, the controller 40 ends the processing shown in FIG. 15.

It may be possible that, when there is an authentication error (S450: NO), the controller 30 of the server 5 counts the number of authentication errors and transmits a command of retransmission to the credit refund device 7 as in S310 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an arrangement processing for a face image data base 6 a that is executed by the controller 30 of the server 5.

When a predetermined time comes after business hours of the game arcade, for example, at eleven p.m., the controller 30 automatically executes a processing shown in FIG. 17. In a case where the server 5 is provided with a man-machine interface such as a ten-key pad, a remote control receiver or the like, it may be possible that the server 5 executes the processing shown in FIG. 17 in accordance with a command from a manager or a staff of the game arcade.

The controller 30 firstly sets a head record to be an object of a first processing (S500). Then, the controller 30 determines whether the first processing has been performed on all records or not (S501). When the first processing has not been performed on all records (S501: NO), the controller determines whether a credit in a record to be subjected to the first processing is 0 or not (S502). When the credit is 0 (S502: YES), the record is deleted (S503). Then, the controller 30 sets a next record to be an object of the first processing (S504), and the processing returns to S501. When the credit in the record to be subjected to the first processing is not 0 (S502: NO), the processing proceeds to S504 with skipping the step S503, that is, without deleting the record.

When the first processing has been performed on all records (S501: YES), the controller 30 sets a head record, which means a head record among record left after the first processing, to be an object of a second processing (S505). Then, the controller 30 determines whether the second processing has been performed on all records or not (S506). When the second processing has not been performed on all records (S506: NO), the controller 30 refers to registration time data and history data in a record to be subjected to the second processing, to determine whether the record has been unaccessed for not less than a predetermined period of time, for example, not less than one month, or not (S507). The predetermined period of time may be arbitrarily set by a user. When the record has been unaccessed for not less than a predetermined period of time (S507: YES), this record is deleted (S508). Then, the controller 30 sets a next record to be an object of the second processing (S509), and the processing returns to S506. When the record has been accessed within a predetermined period of time (S507: NO), the processing proceeds to S509 with skipping the step S508, that is, without deleting the record.

When the second processing has been performed on all records (S506: YES), the controller 30 end the processing shown in FIG. 17.

In this way, the face image database 6 a is arranged by deleting a record in which credit data are 0 and a record in which credit data are not 0 but which has been unaccessed for a predetermined period of time.

As thus far described above, according to this embodiment, the imaging signal is corrected based on the reference distance data and the measured distance data indicating a measured distance between the CCD camera 29, 47L, 47R and an imaging object at a time when an imaging is performed. A distance between the CCD camera 29, 47L, 47R and an imaging object may vary depending on a posture and physique of a user who is the imaging object. By making the above-described correction, however, there is obtained an imaging signal that is substantially the same as an imaging signal obtained in a case where the CCD camera 29, 47L, 47R performs an imaging at the reference distance, which corresponds to the reference distance data, from the imaging object. This realizes a highly accurate face authentication even in a place where the surrounding environment rapidly changes, such as a game arcade.

In a case where a credit is reserved and/or read out by use of a card, a player has to carry the card and be careful not to lose it. In such a case, the card may be stolen and abused. Since a device that supports a card use includes a card conveyor, a card reader and the like, a malfunction such as a card jam, a readout error and the like is likely to occur. In this embodiment, however, a card is not used in reserving and/or reading out a credit. In such a case, a player has nothing to carry and therefore does not have to be careful about a loss. Further, a problem of stealing and abusing does not occur. Besides, since the game medium lending device 3 and the credit refund device 7 do not include a card conveyor, a card reader, and the like, a malfunction such as a card jam, a readout error, and the like is unlikely to occur. Therefore, reliability is improved. In addition, a device is construction is simplified, and manufacturing costs is reduced. Moreover, using no card makes the game system 1 cheaper.

In the case where a card is used, even if someone stole the card and misused a credit stored in the card, it is difficult to prove it. In this embodiment, however, the controller 30 of the server 5 determines whether there is a possibility of misuse of a credit that is actually possessed by the user, based on memory contents of the face image database 6 a and the game medium lending device database 6 b (S304). A fraud check is easily made like this, fraud is suppressed.

In a case where an authentication method other than the face authentication is used in combination with the face authentication such as a case where the face authentication is performed under a condition that other information such as account data or ID has been obtained from a card, an object to be checked is narrowed down based on the other information and then a face authentication is performed. In this embodiment, on the other hand, a face authentication is performed without narrowing down an object to be checked. Therefore, an authentication time tends to be relatively long. Accordingly, an authentication time is made shorter by sorting the records included in the face image database 6 a in the server 5.

The imaging signal is corrected based on a difference between a measured distance and the reference distance. This enables a correction value to be easily calculated out.

A face of a person is imaged from both of left and right sides by the game medium lending device 3 and the credit refund device 7, and a pair of left and right imaging signals are generated. This allows a further more accurate face authentication.

It may be possible that, after a correction is made using the reference distance data in S156 or S403, the corrected imaging signal is further corrected using the reference data 20 aL, 20 aR or the reference data 40 aL and 40 aR. This allows a further more accurate face authentication. For example, data corresponding to an area that is substantially identical to the area designated at a time when the reference data was set, in other words, area data, are extracted from the imaging signal. An area may contain a background, a face, a part of a face, and the like for example. To be more specific, in a possible way, an image based on the imaging signal is divided by 1 to 5 pixels with respect to each of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, and a sum of squared differences between a pixel value of each division and a pixel value of the reference data is calculated. Data corresponding to a division in which the sum of squared differences is smallest are set as the area data. Then, a correction function is determined based on a minimum brightness and a maximum brightness extracted from the area data and a minimum brightness and a maximum brightness included in the reference data, and then the imaging signal is corrected in accordance with the correction function. Here, an example of how to calculate the correction value for a correction using the reference data will be described. It would be desirable that the imaging signal and the reference data agree with each other in brightness for example. Accordingly, a correction value p for a minimum brightness in the imaging signal is set to a difference between the minimum brightness included in the reference data and the minimum brightness in the imaging signal, and a correction value q for a maximum brightness in the imaging signal is set to a difference between the maximum brightness included in the reference data and the maximum brightness in the imaging signal. A correction value for each brightness intermediate between the minimum brightness and the maximum brightness in the imaging signal is calculated by distributing the values q and p at a proportional rate and synthesizing them.

The number of times an imaging is performed in the credit reservation processing S107 and the credit readout processing S108 is not limited to one, but may be two or more. For example, it may be possible that face image data based on a first imaging are provisionally registered in the server 5 and the data is formally registered if face image data based on a second imaging agree with the provisionally registered data. This improves security.

In a face authentication, the server 5 determines whether there is a record including face image data that agree with the received face image data in the face image database 6 a, or not. That is, the server 5 decides agreement or disagreement with respect to each of face image data in the face image database 6 a. However, this is not limitative, and the server 5 may make an intermediate decision between agreement and disagreement. For example, when the server 5 has made an intermediate decision, the server 5 may command the game medium lending device 3 and the credit refund device 7 to retransmit face image data. Alternatively, it may be possible that the server 5 emits a warning sound and in addition the image based on the received face image data and an image based on the face image data stored in the face image database 6 a determined as an intermediate between agreement and disagreement are displayed side by side on a monitor of the server 5, in order that a manager of the game arcade determines agreement or disagreement.

Instead of face image data obtained by conversion from an imaging signal, the imaging signal itself may be transmitted from a peripheral device of the gaming machine 2 such as the game medium lending device 3 and the credit refund device 7 when reserving a credit, reading out a credit, and the like. As a result, processing load on the peripheral device is reduced. In this case, the transmitted imaging signal may be converted into face image data by the server 5 or the unit controller 4.

The present invention is also applicable to a game system in which a second reservation of a credit in the server 5 is not permitted. In this case, upon a readout of a credit, a corresponding record may be immediately deleted from the face image database 6 a.

In S159 and S258, the game medium lending device 3 may transmit credit data stored inside and face image data at different timings. In this case, either one of the credit data and the face image data may be transmitted first.

After receiving cash from a user and before lending out gaming balls, the game medium lending device 3 may register in the server 5 a credit based on the cash together with face image data of the user.

It may not always be necessary that, in a readout of a credit, a full amount of credit stored in the server 5 is read out. For example, it may be possible that a user specifies an amount to be read out by means of the ten-key pad 17 or the like so that a part of a credit stored in the server 5 is read out.

It may be possible that, upon receiving cash from a user, the game medium lending device 3 does not transmit face image data of the user but transmits credit data based on the cash and ID of the game medium lending device 3 itself, transmits, to the server 5. The server 5 stores therein the credit data based on the cash and the ID of the game medium lending device 3 in association with each other. When a command to reserve a credit is received, the game medium lending device 3 transmits, to the server 5, face image data of a user and consumption data indicating an amount used for a lendout of gaming balls. The server 5 may calculate a current credit of the user by subtracting a consumption amount from the credit based on the cash, and make a new record in the face image database 6 a in which credit data thus calculated and the face image data received are stored in association with each other.

When a command to read out a credit is received, the server 5 leaves credit data in the face image database 6 a. Then, when a command to reserve a credit is received, the game medium lending device 3 may transmit consumption data to the server 5 which then subtracts a consumption amount from the previously-left credit to thereby calculate a current credit of the user and store it.

It is not always be necessary that an operation guidance, a warning, and the like are announced visually. They may be announced audibly. An announcement of a warning may be made not only by one device but also on a group basis such as by a game unit including the gaming machine 2 and the game medium lending device 3 or by the game unit and the credit refund device 7. For example, each device included in a group may make an announcement based on a lighting pattern using a lighting mechanism.

It may not always be necessary that the CCD camera 29 swings left and right. The CCD camera 29 may swing vertically or rotate. It may be possible to softwarely perform a zoom processing on the right imaging signal and/or the left imaging signal. In such a case, a preferable imaging signal may be determined among imaging signals that have been subjected to the zoom processing.

It is not always be necessary that the game medium lending device 3 and the credit refund device 7 image a face of a person from both of left and right sides. An imaging signal may be generated based on an imaging from a front side for example.

No limitation is put on to which direction a face of a user is oriented. However, the direction may be designated at a time when a preannouncement is given. For example, it may be possible to instruct a user to see a center reel of the gaming machine or the CCD camera window 19 of the game medium lending device.

It may be possible to announce a user of the gaming machine 2 that he/she must take a good posture, look toward the CCD camera, or the like, in a case where a difference between the measured distance and the reference distance exceeds a threshold.

In the above-described embodiment, a correction is made with respect to a brightness. However, it may be possible to make a correction with respect to at least one of a hue, a brightness, and a chroma. In any case, both a monochrome image and a color image can apply.

when reserving a credit and reading out a credit, not only a face authentication but also another authentication method may be used in combination with the face authentication. As another authentication method, a method requiring nothing to carry, for example, a method using a password input, is preferable. In a case where another authentication method is used in combination with the face authentication, an object to be checked is narrowed down. Accordingly, an authentication time is made shorter.

The game medium lending device 3 and the credit refund device 7 may support a card use, and may read out a credit and write a credit from and into a card. In this case, by use of a ten-key pad or the like, a user may be able to select to reserve credit data in the server 5 or to write credit data into the card, and also able to select to read out credit data from the server 5 or to read out credit data from the card. Since the credit can be reserved in the server 5 or read out from the server 5, opportunities of using the card are reduced. Therefore, the same effects as in the above-described embodiments are obtained. That is, since a malfunction such as a card jam, a readout error and the like is unlikely to occur, reliability is improved.

A method of communication between the game medium lending device 3 and the credit refund device 7, and the server 5 is not limited to a polling method. For example, the game medium lending device 3 and the credit refund device 7 may request a right of transmission from the server 5, and obtain the right of transmission from the server 5 after the server arbitrates the contention.

In the above-described embodiment, a face authentication is not performed when lending out gaming balls in S105. However, a face authentication may be performed in S105, and a lendout may be permitted only when face image data registered in the face image database 6 a and face image data obtained by imaging that is performed when a lendout is commanded.

Data transmitted from the game medium lending device 3 to the server 5 in S159 or S258, data transmitted from the credit refund device 7 to the server 5 in S406, and the like, may be encoded.

A member that measures a distance to the imaging object is not limited to the infrared sensor 291, 48L, 48R, and other optical-based, distance-measuring sensors such as one using a laser beam may be adopted. For measuring a distance, there may be adopted various methods other than the above-described one which is based on an amount of reflected light. For example, a three-point measurement method, a five-point measurement method, and the like may be adopted.

It may be possible that the infrared sensor 291, 48L, 48R is omitted and instead the controller 20, 40 calculates a distance from the CCD camera to the imaging object based on an imaging signal generated by the CCD camera. For example, it may be possible that, in an image based on an imaging signal, an interval between a predetermined reference point and the imaging object is measured and a distance from the CCD camera to the imaging object is calculated using the interval.

In the above-described embodiment, the game medium lending device 3 and the credit refund device 7 correct the imaging signal. However, the server 5 may make a correction. In such a case, the reference distance data are stored in the server 5. For example, in FIG. 8, a processing performed in S156 is omitted. That is, an imaging signal is converted into face mage data without a correction. Then, in S159, not only credit data stored inside the controller 20 of the game medium lending device 3, the face image data, and ID of the game medium lending device 3 but also measured distance data are transmitted to the server 5. The controller 30 of the server 5 receives these data, and corrects the face image data before S200, as shown in FIG. 18 (S206). A correction processing performed in S206 is the same as the correction processing performed in S156 of FIG. 9. The controller 30 performs an authentication using corrected face image data. In the above, the description has been given regarding a case where a credit is reserved. However, the server 5 may make a correction also in cases where a credit is read out and a credit is refunded. Even when a correction is made by the server 5, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment is obtained, too. That is, a highly accurate face authentication is realized.

It may not always be necessary that the reference data and the reference distance data were set when a peripheral device or a server was placed and then the reference data and the reference distance data are maintained. For example, a peripheral device or a server may autonomously update the reference data and the reference distance data, for example in a regular processing. In such a case, a predetermined area of the image based on the imaging signal, which corresponds to pre-update reference data, is captured, and data corresponding to the area are set as new reference data. Data indicating a distance from the CCD camera to an imaging object at a time when the new reference data are set are set as reference distance data.

The gaming machine is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and may be a pachi-slot machine, a slot machine, and the like.

Depending on a kind of a gaming machine, the game medium lending device may lend out various game media other than gaming balls, for example, game coins.

In the above-described embodiment, the game medium lending device does not have a gaming ball discharger but commands a gaming ball discharger, which is included in a corresponding gaming machine, to discharge gaming balls. However, the game medium lending device may have a gaming ball discharger.

The game medium lending device 3 and the credit refund device 7 perform an existing three-dimensional image measurement by use of its CCD camera 29 and the left-side CCD camera 29 and by use of its CCD cameras 47L and 47R, respectively. As a result, a more accurate image processing is realized. Here, the three-dimensional image measurement is a technique for identifying a shape or a three-dimensional position of a solid material based on an image. The three-dimensional image measurement can be performed by means of various methods such as a method using image data obtained from two cameras and triangulation.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. A peripheral device of a gaming machine, comprising: an imaging unit that images a human face and generates an imaging signal; a memory that stores therein a reference distance data item relating to a distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object; and a processor that operates to measure the distance to generate a distance data item, and to correct the imaging signal generated by the imaging unit, based on a measured distance data item thus generated at a time of generation of the imaging signal and the reference distance data item stored in the memory.
 2. The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the processor operates to correct the imaging signal based on a difference between a measured distance that corresponds to the measured distance data item and a reference distance that corresponds to the reference distance data item.
 3. The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit images a human face from both of left and right sides, and generates a pair of left and right imaging signals.
 4. The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein: the peripheral device is a first peripheral device that is provided in association with one gaming machine and connected to a server; and the processor further operates to receive cash, to increase a credit stored inside by an amount of the cash received, to discharge a game medium in accordance with the credit when a lendout command is received, and to transmit, to the server, either one of the imaging signal thus corrected and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal when either one of a command to reserve a credit in the server and a command to read out a credit stored in the server is received.
 5. The peripheral device according to claim 4, wherein the processor operates to transmit, to the server, a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal when either one of a command to reserve a credit in the server and a command to read out a credit stored in the server is received.
 6. The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein: the peripheral device is a second peripheral device that is provided in association with at least one gaming machine and connected to a server; and the processor operates to transmit, to the server, when a command to refund a credit is received, either one of the imaging signal thus corrected and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal, and to discharge cash that is equivalent to a credit received from the server when a notification of refundability is received from the server.
 7. The peripheral device according to claim 6, wherein the processor operates to transmit, to the server, when a command to refund a credit is received, a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal.
 8. A server connected to a peripheral device of a gaming machine, wherein the peripheral device has: an imaging unit that images a human face and generates an imaging signal; a first memory that stores therein a reference distance data item relating to a distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object; and a first processor that operates to measure the distance to generate a distance data item, and to correct the imaging signal generated by the imaging unit, based on a measured distance data item thus generated at a time of generation of the imaging signal and the reference distance data item stored in the first memory, and wherein the server comprises: a second processor that operates to receive, from the peripheral device, either one of an imaging signal corrected by the first processor and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal; and a second memory that stores therein either one of the signal and the data item received by the second processor, the second processor further operating to perform an authentication based on whether one that agrees with either one of the signal and the data item thus received is stored in the second memory or not.
 9. A server connected to either one of a gaming machine and a peripheral device of a gaming machine, the server comprising: a second memory that stores therein a data item relating to a human face image; a processor that operates to receive either one of an imaging signal generated by an imaging unit that images a human face, and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal, from either one of the gaming machine and the peripheral device, and also to receive, when either one of the signal and the data item is received, a measured distance data item relating to a measured distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object at a time of generation of the imaging signal, from either one of the gaming machine and the peripheral device; and a first memory that stores therein a reference distance data item relating to a distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object, wherein the processor further operates to correct either one of the signal and the data item thus received, based on the measured distance data item and the reference distance data item stored in the first memory, and to perform an authentication based on whether one that agrees with either one of the signal and the data item thus corrected is stored in the second memory or not.
 10. The server according to claim 9, wherein the processor operates to correct based on a difference between a measured distance that corresponds to the measured distance data item and a reference distance that corresponds to the reference distance data item.
 11. The server according to claim 9, wherein the imaging unit images a human face from both of left and right sides, and generates a pair of left and right imaging signals.
 12. The server according to claim 9, wherein data items in the second memory are sorted.
 13. A game system comprising a peripheral device of a gaming machine and a server connected to the peripheral device, wherein the peripheral device has: an imaging unit that images a human face and generates an imaging signal; a first memory that stores therein a reference distance data item relating to a distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object; and a first processor that operates to measure the distance to generate a distance data item, and to correct the imaging signal generated by the imaging unit, based on a measured distance data item thus generated at a time of generation of the imaging signal and the reference distance data item stored in the first memory, and wherein the server has: a second processor that operates to receive, from the peripheral device, either one of an imaging signal corrected by the first processor and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal; and a second memory that stores therein either one of the signal and the data item received by the second processor, the second processor further operating to perform an authentication based on whether one that agrees with either one of the signal and the data item thus received is stored in the second memory or not.
 14. The game system according to claim 13, wherein the first processor operates to correct based on a difference between a measured distance that corresponds to the measured distance data item and a reference distance that corresponds to the reference distance data item.
 15. The game system according to claim 13, wherein the imaging unit images a human face from both of left and right sides, and generates a pair of left and right imaging signals.
 16. The game system according to claim 13, wherein: the peripheral device is a first peripheral device that is provided in association with one gaming machine; and the processor further operates to receive cash, to increase a credit stored inside by an amount of the cash received, to discharge a game medium in accordance with the credit when a lendout command is received, and to transmit, to the server, either one of the imaging signal thus corrected and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal when either one of a command to reserve a credit in the server and a command to read out a credit stored in the server is received.
 17. The game system according to claim 13, wherein: the peripheral device is a second peripheral device that is provided in association with at least one gaming machine; and the processor operates to transmit, to the server, when a command to refund a credit is received, either one of the imaging signal thus corrected and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal, and to discharge cash that is equivalent to a credit received from the server when a notification of refundability is received from the server.
 18. The game system according to claim 13, wherein: the peripheral device includes a first peripheral device and a second peripheral device; the first peripheral device is provided in association with one gaming machine, the first processor of the first peripheral device further operates to receive cash, to increase a credit stored inside by an amount of the cash received, to discharge a game medium in accordance with the credit when a lendout command is received, and to transmit, to the server, either one of the imaging signal thus corrected and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal when either one of a command to reserve a credit in the server and a command to read out a credit stored in the server is received; the second peripheral device is provided in association with at least one gaming machine; and the first processor of the second peripheral device further operates to transmit, to the server, when a command to refund a credit is received, either one of the imaging signal thus corrected and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal, and to discharge cash that is equivalent to a credit received from the server when a notification of refundability is received from the server.
 19. A game system comprising a peripheral device of a gaming machine and a server connected to the peripheral device, wherein the server has: a second memory that stores therein a data item relating to a human face image; a processor that operates to receive either one of an imaging signal generated by an imaging unit that images a human face, and a data item obtained by conversion from the imaging signal, from either one of the gaming machine and the peripheral device, and also to receive, when either one of the signal and the data item is received, a measured distance data item relating to a measured distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object at a time of generation of the imaging signal, from either one of the gaming machine and the peripheral device; and a first memory that stores therein a reference distance data item relating to a distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object, the processor further operating to correct either one of the signal and the data item thus received, based on the measured distance data item and the reference distance data item stored in the first memory, and to perform an authentication based on whether one that agrees with either one of the signal and the data item thus corrected is stored in the second memory or not.
 20. The game system according to claim 13, wherein data items in the second memory are sorted. 